The 2026 fantasy football season will be here sooner than you think. And that means it’s time to start circling player targets on the draft board.
In June. LFG.
Knowing who to target within your rankings/tiers is one of the most important aspects of completing a successful fantasy football draft. Sure, there could be “value” that presents itself through the draft as reaches/falls transpire.
But it’s more important to know which players you should target, not only as values but also those you need to approach aggressively, especially in the early rounds, when everybody is good. It’s all about unearthing the best of the best and not being restricted by ADP. I don’t play in a ton of salary cap leagues, but I know I would be pursuing these players in those drafts (where ADP plays less of a factor).
Every fantasy football season is usually defined by a handful of players. I’ve narrowed down the player pool to identify my potential league-winners.
Here are my top players to target in 2026 fantasy football!
Check out the Dissenting Opinions tool to see how my ranks stack up against ECR, ADP, and other fantasy football analysts at FantasyPros!
And there’s no better way to prepare than by drafting with our free mock draft simulator. Beyond our tools, we’ll also have you covered throughout the draft prep season with our content.
Andrew Erickson’s Fantasy Football Draft Targets
Quarterbacks
Justin Herbert (QB – LAC)
Justin Herbert finished the 2025 season as the QB10 in PPG, mostly on the back of his rushing production (6th in rushing yards per game at 31.1). The 28-year-old QB hit career highs in rushing yards and carries. He also tied Josh Allen for the most boom finishes (4). But the losses on the offensive line and his own injuries crushed his ceiling. With a healthier OL in 2026, Herbert can flirt with elite fantasy QB status. Five games with Joe Alt in 2025: Hebert averaged nearly 24 PPG (23.9). Twelve games without Alt? 16.2 PPG.
With Mike McDaniel coming in as the new OC, Herbert’s ceiling is sky-high behind a healthy offensive line. The interior blocking up front has been revamped with Tyler Biadasz, Cole Strange, and Jake Slaughter. A 12-personnel deployment with the TEs should also provide more help in blocking and keeping Herbert healthy. The Chargers have a wide array of weapons for Herbert to throw the ball to – Omarion Hampton, Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Tre Harris, Oronde Gadsden, and David Njoku – along with speed depth to burn between Keaton Mitchell, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Brenen Thompson and Derius Davis.
And the schedule is a recipe for success. Two lay-up matchups to start the year versus ARI and LV. Then the shootouts will start coming. The Chargers’ schedule is going from the 13th to the 21st (29th in Mike Clay’s 2026 projected Strength of Schedule) versus last season. The defense is primed for negative regression with the loss of DC Jesse Minter. As the 2nd-most-injured team in the AFC last year, they are also a prime candidate to have better luck staying healthy (specifically on offense).
If I am drafting a QB inside the single-digit rounds in 2026, it’s going to be Herbert.
Brock Purdy (QB – SF)
Brock Purdy averaged 21.3 PPG after his Week 4 injury (8 games played) in 2025. Same PPG as QB2 Matthew Stafford. He also finished second in the NFL in passing TDs per game, with 20 TDs in nine games (the same number he threw in all of 2024). He was 2nd in passing TD rate (2.2 passing TDs per game in 2025), trailing only Stafford.
Purdy is a great late-round QB option, especially given the ease of his early-season schedule. After taking on the Rams in Week 1, Purdy will face the Dolphins/Cardinals in Weeks 2-3. The Niners have the easiest schedule from Weeks 2-10 based on Vegas’ forecasted win totals.
Even if tight end George Kittle is slow to return from his Achilles injury – although he is on track to return by Week 1 – the Niners are hardly short on offensive weapons for Purdy, with Mike Evans, Ricky Pearsall, Christian Kirk, Christian McCaffrey, and first-round pick De’Zhaun Stribling.
Malik Willis (QB – MIA)
Malik Willis could be a fun fantasy offensive piece in South Beach. He led all quarterbacks in fantasy points per dropback (1.13) last season (small sample size of 47 dropbacks). However, it was also a top-three mark (0.76) in 2024. According to Pat Fitzmaurice, Willis has averaged 44.8 rushing yards per game and has run for four touchdowns in six career starts. He’s averaged about 8.5 fantasy points per game just with his legs. Willis is going to run a lot under the Dolphins’ new OC, Bobby Slowik, and we know how much of a cheat code that can be in fantasy football.
Obviously, the concerns are how effective he can be with his poor supporting cast of pass-catchers. But if anything, I think that just means the team leans that much more into his legs. And whatever plays he can make with Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell, Malik Washington, Chris Bell (wildcard) and Greg Dulcich are just gravy.
The former Packers QB was also Miami’s only multi-year signing this offseason. He seems like a lock to start all of 2026, then serve as a bridge quarterback in 2027 to a rookie if Miami has a high enough draft slot in 2027. He has an out in his contract in 2028.
I will note that Willis is a bit of a different conversation in best-ball formats, where it is essential not to try to take zeroes in your weekly lineups. (See: Justin Fields from last season.) But given that the coaching staff has a former relationship with Willis from their time in Green Bay, I think his job security is a bit safer than Justin Fields‘ was last season. I think there’s less bench risk.
Besides, in redraft, it doesn’t matter if Willis gets benched because you can just hit the waivers. Because I think that risk is what is holding his draft cost down the most, aside from the lack of weapons. To me, Willis feels like the quintessential no-sweat bet.
Running Backs
James Cook (RB – BUF)
James Cook led the NFL in rushing yards in 2025 (1,621). He finished as the RB6 in PPG and RB6 in total points scored. At 26 years old, the Bills RB is in his Uber Prime. He is improving every single season, and he has yet to be fully unlocked as a receiver despite being heavily touted as a pass-catcher coming out of Georgia. If Cook gets unleashed on all three downs under new HC Joe Brady, he could flirt with an overall RB1 status as the engine of the Bills’ offense. The Bills’ offensive line is still in great shape (although they remained very healthy last season).
The 200-pound back has a 44-catch, 445-yard receiving season on his resume, which only Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Christian McCaffrey, and De’Von Achane hit last season, with 1,000 rushing yards to boot. Buffalo also hired Pete Carmichael as the new OC, who spent seven years calling plays with Alvin Kamara as his starting RB in New Orleans.
Chase Brown (RB – CIN)
The Bengals RB finished the year on an absolute heater, despite ceding touches/snaps to Samaje Perine. After a slow start in a Joe Burrow-less offense, Chase Brown finished as the RB7 in PPG from Week 7 onward (18.3). Overall, he was fifth in xPPG.
Once Burrow returned to the lineup, Brown’s production spiked, averaging an impressive 20.6 half-PPR points per game and ranking as the RB3 across Weeks 13-17.
He rushed for over 1,000 yards and finished 5th among RBs with 69 catches for 437 yards. Through the last two years, Brown has averaged just shy of 1,000 rushing yards and nearly 1,400 yards from scrimmage. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, the former 5th-round draft pick will be looking to finish 2026 on his highest note to date.
So far this offseason, there has been no additional backfield competition besides Perine. Keep in mind that he split with Perine last year and was still smashing.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow loves him. Bengals HC Zac Taylor loves him. He’s a talented ball-carrier. The former Illinois standout has improved as a pass blocker and receiver. Brown is the new, more explosive version of Kyren Williams.
List of RBs last season with at least 400 receiving yards and 1,000 rushing yards: CMC, Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, De’Von Achane, and Chase Brown.
Omarion Hampton (RB – LAC)
Omarion Hampton finished his rookie season as RB16 in PPG over nine games (5 touchdowns), but he faced a tough situation. The Chargers were gutted by injuries to their offensive line and to their starting QB. The rookie RB dealt with his own injuries as well. But Hampton flashed enough upside to be worth buying into as a fantasy RB1 breakout behind a healthier/revamped OL in 2026 with Mike McDaniel stepping in as the Chargers’ new offensive coordinator. The former UNC product played four games with a 79%-plus snap share, averaging 17.5 PPG. The Bolts RB received bell-cow-level usage, averaging 17.3 touches per game (tied for top-12 at the position). Also played four games with five or more catches (7th in receptions per game at 3.6). PFF ranked him as the 8th-best graded rusher, finishing 11th in yards after contact per attempt (3.34).
McDaniel’s RB target shares in 4 years as Dolphins HC: 3rd, 7th, 3rd, and 3rd.
I’m also not overly concerned about Keaton Mitchell‘s 3-5 touches per game. He has never seen more than 12 touches in a contest. And I’d be surprised if we don’t see Hampton hit the ground running, given he faces the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders to open the 2026 season.
Kenneth Walker (RB – KC)
Kenneth Walker landed in arguably the best situation of his career after joining Kansas City this offseason, immediately stepping into a projected lead role in one of the NFL’s best offenses. Last year, the Chiefs ranked 8th in rushing success rate while boasting the third-lowest stuff rate. Running lanes will be open for the 211-pound RB.
The former Seahawk remains one of football’s most explosive runners, ranking near the top of the league in explosive run rate (2nd) and missed tackles forced per attempt (1st) while also flashing underrated receiving ability. Both Andy Reid and the Chiefs coaching staff have praised Walker’s pass-catching skill set, and this offseason, the focus has been on expanding his value in pass protection and route running to keep him on the field more often.
Although Kansas City is unlikely to deploy Walker as a true three-down workhorse, the role he projects for is still extremely fantasy-friendly. The Chiefs ranked among the NFL’s best rushing teams last season, and Walker’s big-play ability should pair perfectly with defenses forced to account for Patrick Mahomes once he is fully healthy.
And while Mahomes is returning from his injury, I’d expect the Chiefs to load Walker with opportunities early in the year. Most importantly, Walker projects as the favorite for goal-line and red-zone work, giving him access to touchdown upside that he didn’t have in Seattle. His postseason usage without Zach Charbonnet in Seattle last season offered a glimpse of his ceiling, as he routinely produced RB1-level numbers whenever featured.
- 23.4 half-PPR fantasy points per game during the postseason
- 22.0 half-PPR points in a 2025 regular-season game without Charbonnet
Another Chiefs running back will undoubtedly be involved – Emari Demercado, Emmett Johnson, etc. – but Walker’s competition for touches looks far less threatening than what he dealt with in Seattle. Even if his snap share fluctuates throughout the season, his efficiency and scoring opportunities should remain elite. Walker combines high-end talent with one of the best team fits, making him one of the most enticing RB1 candidates in fantasy football entering 2026. Giddy up.
The Chiefs also have the third-easiest schedule to start the year.
Javonte Williams (RB – DAL)
Javonte Williams completed one of the NFL’s best comeback stories in 2025, silencing concerns about his long-term outlook after rushing for a career-high 1,201 yards, 13 TDs, and finishing as a back-end fantasy RB1 (RB11). The 26-year-old ranked among the league leaders in broken tackles, explosive runs, red-zone usage, yards after contact per attempt (3.6) and overall workload, proving he can still handle feature-back duties at a high level. Dallas rewarded Williams with a three-year contract this offseason, and he enters 2026 with little competition for touches in one of the league’s most fantasy-friendly roles. Given his projected volume, goal-line usage, and three-down skill set in a high-powered Dallas Cowboys offense, Williams profiles as a strong RB1 with legitimate top-five upside.
Bhayshul Tuten (RB – JAC)
Bhayshul Tuten enters 2026 as one of the more intriguing breakout candidates at running back after flashing throughout his rookie season.
Whenever given opportunities, Tuten delivered, ranking highly in several advanced rushing efficiency metrics, although big plays were lacking (5th-lowest breakaway run rate at 10%). Tuten’s collegiate breakaway rate was a stark 47%.
But the team moved on from Travis Etienne this offseason, suggesting that Tuten will see a sizable role increase in 2026.
Now, second-year HC Liam Coen may mix in a trusted veteran and former Kentucky RB Chris Rodriguez early.
But by the time we get to the mid-point of the year, Tuten’s juice as both a runner and receiver will make him the easy favorite to handle the most valuable touches in the offense. The former Virginia Tech RB was already stealing red-zone work from Etienne as a rookie, and a larger role could vault him into the fantasy top-15 RB conversation. The fact that he was earning touches over a veteran in high-leverage situations is excellent for his long-term outlook.
Rodriguez’s late-season production in Washington and relationship with Coen suggest he will have a role, but his profile remains that of a physical early-down grinder with very limited passing-game utility. Tuten matched many of Rodriguez’s efficiency metrics while adding far more explosiveness and versatility, making him the more complete fantasy asset. He can do everything C-Rod can do – and more.
Tuten finished 12th in yards after contact per attempt and elusive rating (nearly identical to C-Rod) with a 58% rushing success rate – same as C-Rod (top-5 in the NFL).
But the speedy back wasn’t playing fast last year as a rookie, struggling with fumbles. I think he can and will play faster in 2026.
If Jacksonville’s 3-man backfield resembles Tampa Bay’s 2024 committee under Coen, Tuten is the clear candidate to emerge as the centerpiece.
The talent, athleticism, and projected role all point toward a potential Year 2 leap.
Just be patient with Tuten. After a Week 1 layup against the Browns, the Jaguars’ schedule is tough — the 5th-most difficult through Weeks 1-6.
But just like the Zack Moss/Chase Brown summer debates from a few years ago, patience was rewarded.
And Rodriguez is a significantly worse back than Etienne (who Tuten took off the field in the red zone last season). I don’t think that’s up for any debate, despite what the advanced metrics might suggest. And I’m going to be honest: I don’t recall Rodriguez being effective until the end of the 2025 season. His earlier game logs are pretty eye-opening, especially in the second half:
- Week 9 versus Seattle was garbage time.
- Week 11? Miami Dolphins. At the time, a historically poor run defense.
- Before the Week 12 bye, Rodriguez was a bottom-10-graded rusher, per PFF. That includes the game versus Miami.
- Five missed tackles on 60 carries (second-fewest in the NFL).
- Dead last in elusive rating (tied with Aaron Jones).
- Eagles rested their starters in Week 18.
I talked ad nauseam about how great the 2025 Commanders’ rest-of-season schedule was for backs in my in-season weekly fantasy football piece. Rodriguez took advantage of the defense rolling over. Keep in mind that Rodriguez’s career profile looks pretty similar to those of Gus Edwards, Jeff Wilson, Zack Moss, etc.: very strong yards-per-carry and yards-after-contact numbers (although Edwards had a much larger sample size).
Rodriguez is a 26-year-old former sixth-round pick who split backfield touches with a rookie seventh-rounder and Jeremy McNichols in Washington in 2025. He wouldn’t have sniffed the Commanders’ lineup if Brian Robinson Jr. hadn’t been traded. Robinson is the definition of the “just a guy” running back archetype, and Rodriguez was his backup’s backup at the start of the offseason.
Rodriguez also hurt his shoulder and groin last year, which is potentially problematic given his physical style of play. And he is already dealing with another injury early this offseason that required a procedure.
Rachaad White (RB – WAS)
I like targeting Rachaad White in Washington, given his price as the RB40 in ECR/ADP. The former Bucs RB has a real strong chance of capitalizing on the high-value touches in a Commanders offense led by Jayden Daniels (White’s former college teammate). Second-year RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt and 2026 6th-round draft pick Kaytron Allen hardly infringe on White’s role as an established pass-catching RB. White has caught 40 or more passes in four straight seasons, making him one of the league’s more reliable receiving backs. His fantasy resume is also better than most remember: RB7 overall finish in 2023, RB24 in PPG in seven games from Weeks 5-12 (10.1) and no finishes worse than RB38 in half-PPR. White improved some of his rushing efficiency marks last season (2nd in rushing success rate and EPA/rush) because he was solid in short-yardage and conversion attempts. That suggests to me the staff might view White similarly to Chris Rodriguez in those situations, but with the receiving ability adding a bonus (turning the last three-headed backfield into a much more manageable two-headed one). Obviously, the risk with White is that he has not been able to completely separate himself from Day 3 RBs in the past (Bucky Irving, Sean Tucker), but that concern is more than accounted for in his dirt-cheap ADP.
Jonathon Brooks (RB – CAR)
The Panthers RB has barely played since being selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but he is finally fully healthy entering his third season. We’ve already seen Chuba Hubbard lose his job once, and he posted zero explosive rushes (15-plus yards) last season. Panthers HC Dave Canales already said Brooks will have a chance to compete for the starting job. I expect him to have an immediate impact as a receiver out of the backfield, given that element of the offense has been another missing piece from the Panthers’ RB room. In his limited NFL playing time, Brooks commanded 3 targets and caught all of them for 23 yards, despite playing only 23 offensive snaps. Both Canales and GM Dan Morgan have praised Brooks (s/o @Coachspeakindex) throughout the offseason. The RB will be 23 years old in July.
Wide Receivers
A.J. Brown (WR – NE)
A.J. Brown finished WR14 overall and WR11 in PPG, averaging 12.1 half-PPR PPG across 15 games on a 27.5% target share with 67 receiving yards/game and 7 TDs. And AJB was consistently frustrated with his role in the Eagles’ passing offense despite the top-15 finish. After being traded to the Patriots, OC Josh McDaniels can feature him like a true alpha No. 1 – something the Pats lacked in 2025. Last year, with the Patriots, Stefon Diggs did not run a full allotment of routes despite being hyper-targeted as the No. 1 WR. But after getting his legs wet through the first three weeks of the season, he was highly efficient from Weeks 4-17: 4th in yards per route run (2.67). He finished with 100 targets during the regular season and ranked WR29 in PPG (9.9). Several other Pats WRs, such as Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins, flashed big-time in this offense with downfield splash plays. Boutte led the NFL in yards per target (17.0) and rating when targeted (133.2). There’s room for a major bounce-back and top-10 WR output for A.J. Brown if he’s attached to quarterback Drake Maye and sees the requisite volume we have seen in the past from McDaniels’ offenses (think Davante Adams on the Raiders or Brandon Marshall on the Broncos). Maye proved last year that he is a WR elevator. And during the six-game stretch of games last season, after Brown returned from his hamstring injury (Weeks 11-16), he was pacing as the WR3 in PPG (16.3). He earned double-digit targets and dominated. All aboard, A,JB WR1 szn.
AJB WR1 SZN.
Traded to the #Patriots
So hyped.
So a thread ????????
— Andrew Erickson™ (@AndrewErickson_) June 2, 2026
Zay Flowers (WR – BAL)
There’s a world where Zay Flowers has the talent to be a top-5 fantasy WR if he can ever consistently score TDs with an expanded red-zone role. Last season, he went over 1,200 yards, totaling 86 catches and 6 TDs (WR7). The Ravens’ WR was the WR3 overall in the last five games. He had 4+ catches in 13 of his 17 games: a testament to his reliable floor and consistent involvement. He was also 5th in target share (28%), 11th in air yards share (35%), and 4th in yards per route run behind Puka Nacua, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Luther Burden III. His late-season scoring binge (five TDs over the last four games) helped him tie the six TDs he scored in his rookie campaign. The scoring just took time to catch up. Every other WR to hit at least 1,200 yards last season scored at least 8 TDs.
When you look at the trajectory — improving every single year — the Antonio Brown Year 4 explosion comp starts to feel less crazy and more inevitable. This could be his best year yet under new OC Declan Doyle. The Ravens ran offensive plays at one of the slowest rates in the NFL under former OC Todd Monken. That might no longer be the case with Doyle stepping in as the new play-caller, given his time with Ben Johnson last season. (The Ravens ranked 29th in pace last season.) Doyle’s offense is built to hunt explosive plays, and Flowers finished third in PlayerProfiler.com’s explosive rating in 2025. The Ravens’ RZ offense also struggled in 2025 (27th in RZ scoring), particularly inside the 10-yard line. A shift toward Flowers in space near the goal line could elevate the wideout into the WR1 overall discourse. More RPOS could also put more emphasis on Flowers in scoring position. And it’s hardly a stretch for Lamar Jackson to fuel a top receiver with his 6.5% TD passing rate. Flowers posted nearly 13 PPG over 13 games with his starting QB in 2025 (78 yards/game as a top-10 WR).
Ladd McConkey (WR – LAC)
Don’t hold the OL injuries against the Chargers’ skill players. Ladd McConkey specifically. The Chargers’ WR failed to live up to the expectations set in his rookie season, as Keenan Allen‘s presence capped his target/production ceiling in a Greg Roman-led offense. The 33-year-old WR LED the Chargers in targets in 2025 (hyper-targeted on third downs). McConkey finished WR28 overall and WR37 in PPG, averaging 9.2 half-PPR PPG across 16 games on a 20% target share. But LA enters 2026 ranked in the top 10 in vacated targets — one of the more open opportunity environments in the AFC — which is a notable positive signal for McConkey’s volume heading into next season. With Roman replaced by Mike McDaniel, we should expect McConkey to finish closer to his rookie season, when he averaged 2.6 YPRR. The former Dolphins HC knows how to deploy his WRs to achieve peak efficiency in both real life and fantasy. Especially given how many TE-heavy sets the Chargers project to use, McConkey will be running routes with inferior pass-catchers on the field.
Jaylen Waddle (WR – DEN)
Jaylen Waddle is coming off a somewhat underwhelming 2025 season, finishing as the WR22 overall (28th in PPG). On the surface, the production — 910 yards and six TDs — looked modest, especially in a season where he operated without Tyreek Hill for much of the year. However, context matters. Miami leaned heavily on the run game, limiting overall passing volume. Despite that, Waddle remained highly efficient, ranking 9th in PFF receiving grade and 13th in yards per route run. Historically, Waddle has shown the ability to produce strong numbers when Hill is off the field and in a variety of ways. In games without Hill (or when Hill played limited snaps in a 15-game sample size), Waddle averaged 7+ targets per game, 68 receiving yards/game, and topped 82 yards in 5 of 11 games in 2025. Now he moves to a Broncos offense (traded for a first-round pick) that ranked 8th in pass rate and 7th in pass rate over expectation (PROE) — a significant shift from Miami’s run-heavy approach in 2025. That alone could boost Waddle’s weekly opportunity as the top option in the Broncos’ passing game. The former Dolphins could also carve out a valuable role in the red zone. Denver showed a willingness to scheme touches near the goal line for Troy Franklin last season — a role Waddle could inherit or expand upon. Franklin ranked 11th in red-zone targets last season. Courtland Sutton ranked 6th. The duo combined for 36 red-zone targets. If Waddle takes on a larger share of those targets, touchdown upside could help offset any sheer-volume concerns. Also, it comes down to health, as Waddle is one of those guys who seems like he is constantly dealing with nagging injuries or coming off the field for medical checks. Despite that, he has constantly been on the WR1 fringe. 2026 could be where the 27-year-old finally makes that HUGE leap with his new landing spot and QB.
Jordyn Tyson (WR – NO)
The New Orleans Saints drafted Jordyn Tyson 8th overall in this year’s draft, arming their second-year QB with another pass-catching weapon. The 6-foot-2, 203-pound WR broke out at the collegiate level at just 18 years old, and his dominance continued when he was healthy throughout his tenure at Arizona State. In 2025, he posted a league-leading 35% target share. In his nine healthy games, he finished second in the nation in targets. But Tyson battled through several injuries that sidelined him and spooked some teams during the pre-draft process. Nevertheless, the Saints took a chance on the former Sun Devil because of his upside/fit in HC Kellen Moore’s offense. This unit is fast-paced and can support multiple fantasy assets. Last year, before Rashid Shaheed was traded to Seattle, both he and Chris Olave were seeing a ton of volume (combining for 17 targets per game). Shaheed was 15th in the NFL in WR targets. Tyson possesses alpha-level traits to be a WR1 at the next level, having checked off nearly all the boxes of an elite WR prospect (young, target earner, dominant producer, early breakout age). This is a sneaky situation where Tyson could be the 1B to Olave’s 1A in 2026.
Tight Ends
For now, I am just going to stick to the late-round TEs. I haven’t fully committed to how I feel about drafting a tight end early, though I very much like Brock Bowers and Colston Loveland. More to come on them in my perfect draft article.
Really comes to combos and the opportunity cost of these guys. For starters…the risk is much higher. Just the name of the game when it comes to drafting tight ends early. If hits -big advantage. But if you miss, it can put you severely behind the eight ball.
Isaiah Likely (TE – NYG)
The Ravens opted to sign Mark Andrews to more years rather than extend Isaiah Likely in the final year of his rookie deal. Likely struggled with injuries to both himself and his QB, which dramatically hurt his 2025 production (along with an oh-so-close TD that didn’t actually result in a TD). Entering free agency and eventually signing with the New York Giants, Likely’s stock is nowhere near where it was at this time last year (TE16 finish in 2024). However, the upside we have seen from Likely when Andrews has missed time in the past – 11 PPG with no Andrews, equivalent to the TE5 in PPG last year – warrants a shot on Likely if he carves out a clear TE1 role with John Harbaugh as his head coach in NY. Harbaugh is one of the biggest Likely stans that there is, so it bodes well for him to receive ample opportunities to post numbers and stats. Likely is ESPN’s 3rd-highest-ranked TE in their receiver score since 2023. Also works in his favor, that is, he could be the de facto No. 1 target in Big Blue while Malik Nabers returns from his ACL injury. Perfect storm to be “the” late-round tight end you need in 2026.
Chig Okonkwo (TE – WAS)
Chig Okonkwo has had 50-plus catches in three straight seasons. He has a highly durable NFL injury history, appearing in all 17 games in each of his first four professional seasons. Now, the super-underrated tight end has Jayden Daniels throwing him the ball after signing a LUCRATIVE free-agent deal with the Washington Commanders (3 years for $27 million). Okonkwo’s YAC-ability and potential to be the No. 2 target in the nation’s capital are teeing him up to break out in 2026. The YAC metric for tight ends was one of the reasons I was drawn to Tucker Kraft over the last two years. Okonkwo: 3rd in YAC/reception in 2025 (6.2) & 1st in YAC/reception as a rookie in 2022 (7.8).
Greg Dulcich (TE – MIA)
Miami Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich could be a sleeper to emerge as his team’s No. 1 target, given how barren the depth chart is. New Miami Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan was asked on Kevin Clark’s podcast at the owners’ meetings: Which guy on the roster are you excited to take the leap and get better in 2026? His answer was Dulcich. The Dolphins tight end finished 2nd among TEs in yards per route run from Week 9 onward. According to ESPN’s receiver score, Dulcich’s 2.7 YPRR mark from 2025 ranks fourth-highest among all TEs since 2022. The 26-year-old finished 2nd in YAC/catch among tight ends last season, trailing only Tucker Kraft. Note that his rookie-year breakout in Denver coincided with tight ends coach Jake Moreland, who previously coached under Slowik. Not to mention, the Dolphins’ new head coach just came from Green Bay, so he clearly knows what a yards-after-the-catch tight end can offer for an offense.
Defense/Special Teams
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers will take on the Arizona Cardinals and the Las Vegas Raiders to start the year. Best schedule for any DST. Draft them and start the Bolts with confidence through the first two weeks of the 2026 season.
